kids and life jackets

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:16 pm

Question for those of you who have kids under 12. what life jackets are you using during the hot months? and per the law saying "jackets must be worn while the vessel is underway" does that mean must be worn when big motor is in use? or does that include trolling motor? My kid wears at all times, but he sure does look hot during our summer months so looking for better suggestions and clarification of the law.

outdoorsman · Post by **outdoorsman** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:42 pm

I believe it is the big motor. Look at the suspender style by mustang. They are sweet and ive been wearing them since i was 12

civicrr · Post by **civicrr** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:42 pm

I don't know the specifics on the law. When I have my kids on the boat, they wear their life jackets all the time. Way I think about it is this. Even if they know how to swim, it isn't that good. The lessons they took in the pool really haven't prepared them for open water swimming. If one goes in the water, I can't just jump in after him/her. Obviously, if it is my child or the boat, screw the boat. Problem is immediately jumping in would leave the other child in the boat without an adult to control it.

For my older son, I did get him a youth 'fishing' jacket. Not as hot. For my daughter, I just try to keep her hydrated as much as possible.

BuckSnort · Post by **BuckSnort** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:27 pm

civicrr wrote:I don't know the specifics on the law. When I have my kids on the boat, they wear their life jackets all the time. Way I think about it is this. Even if they know how to swim, it isn't that good. The lessons they took in the pool really haven't prepared them for open water swimming. If one goes in the water, I can't just jump in after him/her. Obviously, if it is my child or the boat, screw the boat. Problem is immediately jumping in would leave the other child in the boat without an adult to control it.

+1 That right there is the best advice ever given on this or any other fishing website ever....

21farms · Post by **21farms** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:56 pm

outdoorsman wrote:Look at the suspender style by mustang. They are sweet and ive been wearing them since i was 12

FYI, inflatable-style PFDs are not approved for use for anyone under age 16.

DeltaDan · Post by **DeltaDan** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 9:43 pm

civicrr wrote:I don't know the specifics on the law. When I have my kids on the boat, they wear their life jackets all the time. Way I think about it is this. Even if they know how to swim, it isn't that good. The lessons they took in the pool really haven't prepared them for open water swimming. If one goes in the water, I can't just jump in after him/her. Obviously, if it is my child or the boat, screw the boat. Problem is immediately jumping in would leave the other child in the boat without an adult to control it.

Ditto- The are proudly sporting Jobe's from Costco at all times on the water. You can pick up them up seasonally and for a very reasonable price in the spring/early summer from Costco with the Three belt clip models in Med. side and over.

You can size up each other/year if needed for the kid. ~ and pass the next/smaller size on down as long as it fit's. If they start to complain about them being hot -- They can either....

1- Take there vest on to dunk their shirt into the water ~ and put it back on .....

or 2- Jump in - and get wet fully with it on while they cool off.

DeltaLuke has been switching out with my Stearns workmans vest at times as he is getting bigger / and the mesh inside creates more ventalation underneath. - and I have been putting on a spare Stearns Manual Inflatable vest lately- if no spare passenger is not using it.

Problems are that DeltaLuke can still slip from under either vest if he does not readjust the straps ... and even though the Manual vest still has flotation, and is comfortable .. It still is a manual flotation vest in the end ....... and not right for any of us.

In the end ... Make them sweat early in life -- Cause they will be doing alot of it later in life as well..... While the parents will be nail-bitting the whole time as they are growing up, and hopefully the kids will ne doing the same ~ safely and prosperous as well.....

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:01 am

I bought two BPS auto inflatables for my two girls.
They wear them full time.
Just remember that inflatables don't count as PFDs to the Coast Guard unless they are worn, so have a conventional life jacket on board for each person if you're not wearing your inflatables.

acm95301 · Post by **acm95301** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 7:11 pm

http://www.boatingsidekicks.com/boatsfact.htm

Children under 7 in a boat under 21 feet and underway, when not in a cabin.

http://www.wearitcalifornia.com/ca-delta.htm

http://www.boat-ed.com/ca/course/p4-7_pfds.htm

California law requires children under the age of 12 to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD while underway (unless tethered to a sailboat or in an enclosed cabin) in a vessel 26 feet long or less.

http://www.boatus.com/foundation/LJLP/s ... ements.asp

Effective December 23, 2002, in states where no childrenâ€™s life jacket law is in place, a U.S. Coast Guard interim rule will require children under 13 on moving boats to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket that fits. Fifteen states will be affected by the rule.

MIKE TREMONT · Post by **MIKE TREMONT** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 7:29 pm

Talk to someone that's almost lost or has lost a child in the water. Call me what you want, when my little girls on the boat, she's wearing a PFD. If it's too hot for her, she ain't on the boat.

Be safe.

RMARX · Post by **RMARX** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 4:40 am

Connor is 12 and 5'5" I got him Sospenders and he does not mind wearing them all day. Another thing when kids are in my boat it does not go over 35 MPH